Then forward a short letter or CV of what you think you could offer or would like to offer to the people of Laos and the projects in Laos or if you wish to volunteer in Australia only. Age is not a deterrent in fact we welcome healthy retired couples and also families who may like to complete some voluntary work while on holidays or for an extended time in Laos or on a part time basis in Australia of Laos. We will consider all applicants and welcome ideas and people who can complete the work that needs to be done even for only a short term of only a few days. Perhaps you could also assist by just bringing some items from Australia for project use - such as knitted items, tools, chux etc and just visit the Suan Luang Project. Just make the enquiry and lets have a chat. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Please take into consideration that Laos while very cheap to live in has little health care. Visas beyond 90 days are extremely difficult unless you are wanting to stay much longer. Global Support Association Inc. can advise re travel, accommodation etc but all costs except direct project costs are borne by the volunteers. Costs will depend on your own personal choices of travel, accommodation and food. We will however mostly be in country with you to ensure you not only volunteer, and do the things you like doing but also that you see more of the country than a normal tourist, meet a lot of local people and that you have a lot of fun.

We are presently preparing a program in Laos for the period November 2015 - January 2016 for volunteers in Laos. This will include assessing a Community Agricultural Project at a village on the Mekong, building outdoor recreation shelters at the orphanage, cleaning, maintenance and painting, language speaking practice and any other worthwhile activity that can be done by the volunteers. W will be visiting villages to distribute clothes and we will be visiting villages to also look at a further water project. It is a good time of the year to visit as it is cooler and can get quite cold over Christmas and New Year.

1. Time to donate in Australia or Overseas (even a day can make a difference)2. Presentation skills and would be prepared to promote the cause3. Items which can be used in Laos eg. spectacles, hearing aids, medicine, sports equipment, computer equipment, clothes4. Space in your luggage if you are travelling to Laos - can you carry extra goods with you5. Special Skills and the time to implement a program eg set up computer systems (low key - slow or no internet)6. Special Training skills or vocational skills which would be useful (eg Wood Working, Sewing)7. Translation and/or Interpreter skills8. The commitment to become part of our membership program and GSA family and help us to provide ongoing support for the needy9. Financial independence is required for volunteers overseas. No funds are available for air fares or accommodation or wages. In some circumstances some funds may be available for in-country travel depending on the project and responsibilities in order to assist the facilitation of the project.

Are you an organization, club, school, family or group or individual who would like to help?

1. You would actually like to travel to Laos together to do some hands on help2. You would like to fund raise for a specific project and make it your own3. You would like to adopt a child or a project 4. You would like to become part of an ongoing support program for as little as $10 per month5. You would like your school group to communicate with schools in Laos and provide support

Willing Participants?

We are constantly looking for willing participants who may wish to volunteer their time and skills to assist with our projects in Australia and overseas. This can be as simple as

assisting with the administration and accounting functions in Australia;

coordinating the transport of goods to Laos;

organizing groups to knit socks and scarves for the cold winter,

organizing a fund raising event

or Travelling to Laos itself to supervise and co-ordinate the facilitation of an agreed project or assist the other volunteers to complete projects

Service Clubs or Associations

We would also appreciate any Service Clubs or Associations who wish to participate as part of their international commitment and involvement and take on some ongoing or special project.

Volunteers must be members

Volunteers must become members of the association and will be scrutinized. A blue card will be necessary for work with the children and references will be sought before any communication with the children can be allowed. I'm sure you understand. If you don't want to do this, or you have to wait for a blue card, then there is plenty of non-child contact work to be done.

Our Volunteer PhilosophyVolunteers. We are always looking for volunteers to help out with some of the work required for our Projects. Unfortunately this is not easy and while there are many willing hands - The Lao Government and ourselves are very strict on who is selected for in country work. Volunteers can take up a lot of resources such as translators, vehicles etc so we have to select volunteers based on what they can add to the Projects. Volunteers need to be financially independent, be able to pay for their own travel, accommodation, food and transport. Ideally this would be someone wanting to come on holidays and utilize some of their time or extend their time to help people.

There is plenty of local labour so it is not labour we need but mostly skills training, language practice and supervision of spending and funding. There will be some light labour if you wish but generally not necessary - depending on the task. You will be helped in terms of itineraries, what to do, where to go, where to stay and who to see but other than that you may have to function independently - but don't worry we have all been there and we are very supportive. Our team leaders are very experienced with travel in Laos, accommodation etc and will help you depending on your experience if any and can tailor this to match your available finances if you like.

Older couples and individuals are very welcome to apply. The association has many retired and semi-retired volunteers who love to give of their time to give back to the world. The tasks are fully structured to ensure the sustainability of the individual projects and to ensure that the team effort is fully utilized. There is an in country Lao co-ordinator who will look after you to ensure that you feel welcome and that you feel satisfied in the work that you are assigned. Please apply and give us your resume and what you feel you would like to do, how long you can stay and we will get back to you. Thank you and hope you understand that we can't take everyone. However we do have escorted charity tours for giving that are exclusive to Global Support Association Inc. These tours are generally smaller and tailor made depending on what is current to take guests to see some areas and charities that are not normally accessible by tourists. These tours are small in number and operate infrequently depending on the circumstances and what is available. This is so that visitors can personally assess the difficulties in Laos on a personal level and see everything at the grass roots level Go to Tours page for the current tours coming up. If you want to go, please make enquiries and book early so that we can ensure that you are accommodated.